A Devizes man has been charged with stealing scrap metal and electrical appliances as part of the police's ongoing Operation Herald initiative.

James Smith, 29, was arrested yesterday outside Hills Waste/Recycling Depot in Trowbridge.

He and two other men - Jason Cleverley, 32, and Barry Middleton, 30, both from Trowbridge - were taken to Melksham Police Station, where they were interviewed and subsequently charged.

The trio will appear at North Wilts Magistrates Court today.

Wiltshire police are still continuing with Operation Herald to deal with metal thieves.

Theft of metal is a nationwide problem, with copper piping remaining popular as it is easy to sell.